Build and Host website on google sites with custom domain

Are you looking for a way to grow your online presence? Or you have a new business, shop, or services you offer to people and wish to make it known to others. If you do not have enough resources to achieve this, then do not worry because in this article I will be sharing with you a step-by-step guide to building an awesome portfolio website on google sites with a custom domain.

Google has made a lot of its products available and free for its user, ranging from #blogspot a platform that allows users to create and host their blog for free, and #google business which allows users to get their business online, Google Sites, and a lot of others.

Overview of Google Sites

Google Sites is a powerful website building tool that encompasses another awesome web stack [e.g. Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Drawings, Google Forms, and Google Keep] that aid website building.

Pros and Cons of using Google Sites?

Pros (good side)
1. It is entirely free.
2. Easy and simple to use
3. Allow migrating to a custom domain
4. It does not require programming skills required
5. It is compatible across different browsers
6. Guaranteed access control [You can control who should visit your site, and post comments]
7. Access to other useful web stacks as mentioned above.
8. Already made template.

Cons (Bad side)
1. Although it is free, you will need to buy a domain name to remove the default URL like “sites.google.com/view/mysite” to a custom URL.
2. Limited to a few basic functions mostly the default ones, unlike other popular CMS like WordPress has enormous functionalities
3. Not good for a dynamic website like blogs site and eCommerce website
4. No plugin is allowed.

10 Steps to Build portfolio website on Google Sites

1. log in to Your Gmail, or Google Workspace account to access the Google site.
2. choose a template or create new
3. Decide a suitable name for your site
4. Upload your custom logo
5. Select a suitable Theme
6. Add a title to your website
7. Choose header type
8. Create important pages for your portfolio
9. Add an influential section
10. Set Access and control viewer on your Google sites
11. Add a custom Domain
12. Publish your Google site
13. Share your new site

1. log in to Your Gmail or Google Workspace account to access the Google site.

You need to log in to your Gmail account to be able to use any Google product and services from which google is not excluded. Go to
https://sites.google.com and log in with your Gmail account to continue.

2. How to Choose a template or create a new one

There are ready-to-use templates available once you log in, But you will decide according to your need. In this case, we shall be using the portfolio template as shown below.

But in a case you did see any that suit your need then you can as well create a customized template by yourself. To do this, select a blank template as you can see below.

3. Choose a suitable name for your site

Click on Your name on the header bar and type in the name of your site.

4. How to Upload a custom logo

Your site logo is a short description of your brand. Add a suitable logo that describes what you do. Click on Add Logo

as shown below then select from your local computer and upload. After uploading your logo, you can also add a favicon – that tiny image that shows on the browser

 

5. How to change or add a suitable Theme to your site

Click on the theme and select any that make your logo or create new ones, Theme in this regard are background-color, font color, and font family, for the header section

 

6. How to Change or Choose header type on your Google site

There are four different types of header which include
» Cover
» Larger banner
» Title only
Click on each of the header-type and see how it looks and select the one that is best for you.

After adding the image, the anchor format it by clicking on the anchor image icon to change the positioning, it could be anchor left, right, bottom, top, or leave as default.

8. How to Create pages for your portfolio site

Click on pages to add new pages, then type page name and put the link, the good thing is that you can add an external link to your site as well.

We are building a portfolio website and there are important pages that are necessary. These pages include your contact us, about us, project page, and products or services you render to customers. These will help people understand you more. Adding these pages is another wonderful means of boosting your presence.
Example:
Including features like contact form, e-mail Address, Telephone, and your accounts on popular social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) can help you expand your reach.

9. how to Add Sections to Google sites

To add a section to your site then click Insert. Select Embed, Text box, Images, or uploads from your Google Drive.

List of elements you can add to your Google site

1. Text boxes – text boxes allow you to add custom text or comments to a particular section
2. Chart – In a case you need an illustration you can use Google chart, Click on the chart to add new
3. Sheet – You can create and import and spreadsheet document to your site using google sheet
4. Docs – This allows you to add document files to your site
5. Slides – you create illustrative slides and add them to your Google site
6. Map – Allows the addition of google map to your website
7. Calendar – In case you have a schedule and meeting, birthday, or anniversary, google calendar can help you set it up
8. YouTube – You can add videos Allow
9. Placeholder – Allows the insertion of text image or video or any of the items mentioned above into a particular section
10. Divider – This is a horizontal line that cut across a section depending on how you want to place it.
11. Button – Action buttons help you to add navigation like go to next back etc., to your Google site.
12. Image carousel – You can use this to add an image slider, or create a slide show
13. Table of content – A table of content allows you to structure your content for easy navigation
14. Collapsible group – You can use this to create an accordion, which helps to keep a large portion of your content hidden until a user clicks on it.

Having known these above, in your portfolio site, you can add a screenshot, image slide, or video demonstration of your work as shown in the screenshot above

10. How to Set Access and control viewer on your Google sites

Google site provides means of regulating access to your site, both those that can view it and those that can edit it.

Click the user icon on the menu bar make your settings and your desires and then save.

11. How to Add a Custom Domain to your Google site

This is entirely optional. However, if you which to add a custom domain name and URL for your Google sites, then Here are steps to achieve that. But before you continue, it is expected that you have already purchased your domain.

 

» Click on Setting
» Enter your domain name, the Google will ask you to verify your site.
» Verify your site, once you pass the verification test.

 

» Change domain DNS and point to google site.
You will log in to the cPanel of your domain name provider then go to DNS Zone and Change the Domain name server to the one given to you by Google as shown below, after changing the DNS the wait for 12 or 24 hours for your setting to propagate.

 

12. How to publish your Google site

To Publish your site, navigate to the menu bar and click on publish.

13. Share your new site

To share your new site click on the link icon, and a public link will be given to you. Then share with your friend on other social media sites.

Important FAQs about Google Site

Is Google Sites a good platform to build a website?

The answer to this depends on our needs. If you are new and have no money to buy a domain name, it is an ideal place to start because it is easy, free, and requires little to no coding experience to get started.

How can I upload a file to my Google Sites website?

To upload a file to your Google site:
1. Click on Insert.
2. Choose file type: You have options like Image, Drive, Text or, embed. Select any of them, and then select your file.

Is AdSense applicable to Google Sites?

No, AdSense has been removed from Google sites. But there are still alternatives to that, you can use the affiliate link or sell personalized ad space, and e-books to earn money.

How to delete or remove a page on Google Sites?

To delete a page on your Google sites
1. ClickPage
2. Navigate to the page you want to delete and click the icon on the right side to drop-down
3. From the drop-down select delete

 

How to upload Youtube videos on my Google Sites?

To upload a Youtube video on Google sites
1. Click Youtube
2. Select Upload if you have a video apart from Youtube OR
3. Type the video title in the search bar, then select from the result and click on it.

 

How do I log in to Google sites?

To log in, you must have a Google account, then go to https://sites.google.com/

How do I make Google Sites look good?

Google site has awesome tools like Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Drawings, Google Forms, and Google Keep, Calendar, all these and more can assist you in building amazing web templates.
Alternatively, you can use a ready-made template customized to your taste.

Is Google site templates free for download?

Google site templates are free but with a simple design for your need that may not be sufficient, However, there are third parties that build and sell other remarkable ones you can buy for your need.

Top 9 google sites templates free for download

 

There are many google site templates for download but not all are for free because most templates are built by third-party mostly for sale. You can check some here https://sites.google.com/site/arctemplates/free-google-sites-templates